October 6, 2026
Economic
Development &
Opportunity
Committee
Department of
Economic Development
& Opportunity
2 ı
• BizCare
o The BizCare team helps small businesses learn about
and benefit from small business grants, loans and more. 2 Small Business is Big Business
Contact BizCare
562.570.4BIZ (4249)
[email protected]
longbeach.gov/bizcare
1,261
BUSINESSES
ASSISTED
1,000+
BUSINESSES
VISITED
300
BUSINESSES
SUPPORTED WITH
RAPID RESPONSE
40 BUSINESSES
PROVIDED WITH
TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
49 COMMUNITY
EVENTS
ATTENDED
• Legacy Business Program
o Honors businesses that have operated
for at least 10 years.
o Learn more and nominate a
business at: longbeach.gov/legacybiz
• Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program
o Transforms vacant commercial
properties into visually engaging
community assets through art
installations created by local artists.
o Provides property owners with free-ofcost vinyl window wraps to enhance curb appeal, deter vandalism and
attract new tenants to the city’s
diverse business corridors.
Business Support Programs
• Green Business Program
o Technical Assistance to help
businesses:
▪ Improve energy efficiency
▪ Conserve Water
▪ Support sustainability goals
▪ Free certification for
eligible businesses
Business Support Programs
26 CERTIFIED OR RECERTIFIED
GREEN BUSINESSES
• Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business
Makeover and Grant Program
o Celebrated third cohort in September
2026
o $10,000 grants to help participating
businesses level up operations.
o $691,000 issued to 78 businesses to
date.
• Visual Improvement Program Grant
o Total Grants Awarded: 472
o Total Funds Awarded: $634,500
5 Small Business Grants
• Safe & Secure Long Beach Program
o Financial assistance for small
businesses to install security cameras,
alarm systems and other eligible
security improvements.
o Up to $750 for small businesses.
o Up to $1,500 for larger businesses.
• $750,000 Federal Grant Awarded to City
from the U.S. Economic Development
Administration
o Since 2001, the City has issued more
than $7.9 million in loans, resulting in
650 jobs created or retained.
o The City’s current loan portfolio includes
106 active loans totaling $3.8 million.
• Microenterprise Loan Program
o $10,000 to $100,000
o 5 to 10-year term
o Interest: Wall Street Journal prime rate
+1.5%
• Grow Long Beach Fund
o $100,000 to $5 million
o 3 to 25 years
o Interest: based on current Wall Street
Journal prime rate +2.75%
6 Access to Capital
$3.8
MILLION
LOANS DISTRIBUTED
• Vacancy to Vibrancy Real Estate
Property Tool
• Access real estate available for lease or
purchase
• Easy-to-navigate interface and search
tool
• Business Insights Tool
• Use tool to learn “Where should I start
my business in Long Beach?”
• “Who are my competitors and how do
I perform compared to them?”
• “How can I find more customers?”
7 Vacancy to Vibrancy
longbeach.gov/vacancytovibrancy
longbeach.gov/businessinsights
8 ı
Business Walks
• Goals
• Resource awareness
• City Processes navigation
• Approximately 20+ staff participate in each walk
• District Office
• City Manager
• Economic Development & Opportunity
• Public Works
• Health
• Community Development
• Police
• Prosecutor
• Business Improvement District Staff
250+
BUSINESSES REACHED
9 ı
Business Improvement Districts
• BIDs help create vibrant, clean and safe business districts. • Working with the City and community, BIDs serve as a powerful voice for their business districts. There are 9 BIDs in Long Beach. • One-time BID grant funding has been provided to organizations that support the local economy.
• Authorized use of funds for the following:
• Enhancing cleanliness and safety of commercial corridors • Green space and environmental streetscape enhancements such as street maintenance
• Business support and development.
• Special events and activations.
10 ı
Inclusive Business Navigators
• Free technical assistance, workshops and business
coaching/advising services to Long Beach small businesses. • Assistance is available in multiple languages through City’s many partners.
• Assistance available for:
• Grant and loan applications
• Business planning
• Financial accounting
• Marketing and communications
• Operations and Human Resources
• Digital resources
• Government procurement and more!
708
BUSINESSES
SUPPORTED
100
WORKSHOPS
HOSTED
2,480
HOURS OF
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
Small Business Spotlights
300+
SMALL BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHTS
Nominate a small business to
be featured!
• Rolling out the red carpet, not the red
tape!
o Starting a Business in Long Beach
Guide now available in English,
Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog.
o Helpful tool outlining the permitting,
licensing, marketing processes,
valuable resources and more!
o Speed, ease and predictability.
Starting a Business in Long Beach
View the brochure!
13 ı
On the Horizon
• Anaheim Corridor Safety Crosswalks Pilot
• Business Improvement Districts additional one-times support • Business Improvement District Creation Feasibilities
• Wrigley
• Santa Fe
• Westside Industrial Area
• Westside Night Markets – Oct. 16 and Nov. 20
• Long Beach Cannabis Businesses Networking Event – Oct. 8 • Microenterprises and Microentrepreneurs Support
• LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games Small Business Development Support and Partnerships
✓ Branding and Marketing
✓ Public Affairs and Media Relations
✓ Advertising and Printed Collateral
✓ Web and Digital Communications
✓ Engaging Storytelling and Outreach
Subscribe to the
Business Brief Newsletter!
Nearly
40k Subscribers!
@LBEconDev longbeach.gov/edo
Telling the Long Beach Story
Major Attractions, Companies and Workforce Development Partners 15 Workforce Development
16 Major Attractions, Companies and Partners
Q&A
Bo Martinez
Director
[email protected]
Thank you!
@LBEconDev
Scan to visit our website!
longbeach.gov